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Officer David Cruz testified for more than two and a half hours, telling the court Carter "was actively resisting our attempts to place him under arrest" the night of June 4, 2015.

Cruz is the officer seen kicking Carter in video that made headlines. He testified Wednesday that he had no other options.

"I decided to deliver several kicks," said Cruz, under questioning by the state. When asked why, he said, "We have used everything on our tool belt. Taser cartridges, we have no more Taser cartridges. We used pepper spray. We used batons. None of it had effects."

Cruz said he saw Carter grab his ex-girlfriend's wrist that night outside Venue 578. Both Cruz and former Officer Charles Mays told the court Carter ignored their commands and got violent with them.

"He pulled his arms away, and then he punched me right here in the chest," testified Mays.

But the defense argued the officers did not follow arrest protocol, with Cruz first telling Carter to leave the area.

Cruz confirmed that he did not immediately put Carter under arrest for dating violence, even though he should have under Orlando Police Department policy if he believed there was probable cause.

Defense attorney Patrick Lawlor also said Carter was not being aggressive when the officers were striking him.

"This had nothing to do with you effectuating an arrest, but everything to do with you putting a beating on him," he said, while cross-examining Mays.

The judge denied a defense motion for acquittal, saying even though Cruz testified that he did not initially intend to arrest Carter for battery, when Carter ignored the officer's order to leave, Cruz was in "lawful execution of his legal duty" to try to arrest Carter.

Carter faces two felonies and two misdemeanors for resisting arrest and battery, including on a law enforcement officer.